The Justice Department issued an opinion today that protects White House counsel Don McGahn from being compelled to testify before Congress:
AP – The Justice Department says former White House counsel Don McGahn can’t be compelled to testify before Congress about the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on the Russia investigation.
The department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion Monday finding that McGahn would have “immunity” as a former presidential adviser. It could clear the way for McGahn to defy a congressional subpoena ordering him to testify by Tuesday.
I’m sure Democrats will get all bent out of shape on this.
But according to the AP’s reporting, the DOJ also did this for Obama’s presidential advisors back in 2014:
The Justice Department issued a similar opinion in 2014 that found that close presidential advisers have “absolute immunity” from congressional subpoenas.
Shortly after the opinion was released, Trump directed McGahn to defy the subpoena from the Nadler’s Judiciary Committee:
AP – President Donald Trump is directing former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a congressional subpoena.
The White House on Monday cited a legal opinion from the Justice Department, which argues that McGahn would have immunity from testifying before Congress about his work as a close Trump adviser.
The AP reports that Nadler has threatened to hold McGahn in contempt if he defies their subpoena.
Yeah, that’s gonna do a lot of good. LOL!